Dearest gentle reader…loving homes found for ‘Bridgerton’ kittens rescued in Lutterworth
A litter of kittens named after characters from Bridgerton have found loving homes, thanks to a Lutterworth veterinary practice.
Violet, Gregory, Daphne, Anthony and Benedict were born after a pregnant stray cat was taken to Broughton Veterinary Group’s clinic by a member of the public who was worried about her welfare.
The mum-to-be, who was christened Molly, was not microchipped and despite Broughton Vets’ efforts to find an owner, nobody came forward to claim her.
Veterinary nurse Sarah Armstrong asked her mum, Helen, to foster Molly and the grey tortoiseshell cat went into labour just days later. When Molly’s contractions started, Sarah rushed over to assist with the delivery of the kittens, who they decided to name after members of the Bridgerton family from the popular TV series.
Under Helen’s care and with regular visits from Sarah and check-ups at Broughton Vets, the kittens have thrived and have now found loving homes with members of the team and family members. Molly is being rehomed by one of the vet practice’s clients.
Sarah said everyone has enjoyed following the kittens progress but says it could have been a very different story for them if Molly hadn’t been brought into the vet practice.
Sarah said: “Molly struggled during her labour due to being far too young to have kittens and because she hadn’t eaten properly during her pregnancy. If she’d given birth while living as a stray, there’s a high chance that both mum and kittens might not have survived.
“Their story highlights the importance of microchipping and neutering. We couldn’t trace an owner for Molly because she wasn’t chipped. Microchipping is the best way to be reunited with a pet if they go missing or are injured and you are also legally required to have cats microchipped and registered on a database by 20 weeks of age.
“All of Molly’s kittens will be microchipped when they are neutered, so it can be performed while they are anaesthetised. However, it’s also a very straightforward procedure for older cats which may not yet have been microchipped.
“Neutering is also one of the most responsible decisions you can make if you own a cat because it prevents unwanted pregnancies.
There is already an over-population of cats and rescue and rehoming charities are full.”